Expression and significance of serum 4-1BB and CD28 on CD4~+T lymphocyte subsets in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To study the expression and significance of serum costimulatory molucules on CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA).MethodsPeripheral blood T cell subsets and the expressions of 4-1BB and CD28 on T cells in RA patients \[active(group A) and inactive(group I)\] and normal controls(group C) were detected with multicolor flow cytometry.Results The CD4+T cell was higher,CD8+T cell was lower and the frequency of CD4+TCD28-T cells was higher in RA patients than those in group C(P0.05).The frequencies of CD4+CD28-T cells and expression of 4-1BB on CD4+ cells were higher in group A than those in group I(P0.05).Conclusion The expression of CD28 on autoimmune T cells is decreased and that of 4-1BB is incresed in RA patients,which may be related to the augmentation of maladaptive immune responses.